I assume you're waiting to say how displeased you are about this. Personally I also want/wanted stats to have minimal influence.

No. I like it. It's because it ADDS complexity to the game, in that you have to decide if you want higher defense, other abilities, or the cooldown reduction. I find the ability to throw significantly more grenades to be really helpful, so I pass up equipping cool items that don't add to discipline, but others may find different abilities more valuable.

Games like Diablo usually don't do this, since there are few item properties actually worth getting, and the ones that are are of tons of importance.

That's a refreshing take on it, I hadn't thought about it that way, or not lately. Although, personally (again), I would rather be able to have everything, but if they can make things I don't care about, then I wouldn't mind choosing to go improve things I do care about and not other things.
So how about that sniper rifle? Is it game breaking? Can it get objectives? Can it flip switches?

I assume you're waiting to say how displeased you are about this. Personally I also want/wanted stats to have minimal influence.

No. I like it. It's because it ADDS complexity to the game, in that you have to decide if you want higher defense, other abilities, or the cooldown reduction. I find the ability to throw significantly more grenades to be really helpful, so I pass up equipping cool items that don't add to discipline, but others may find different abilities more valuable.

Games like Diablo usually don't do this, since there are few item properties actually worth getting, and the ones that are are of tons of importance.

Maybe I didn't notice this as much in the Alpha because the bonuses were lower, but DANG do stat bonuses make a difference. I maxed out (100%) discipline with a hunter, and combined with the scavenger ability, you can throw grenades like the good old days of Halo.

If you aren't familiar, discipline decreases your grenade cooldown, and scavenger also reduces it when you pick up items or ammo. There's a piece of gear that decreases it even MORE when you land a melee. Literally a ten second turn around sometimes.

I assume you're waiting to say how displeased you are about this. Personally I also want/wanted stats to have minimal influence.

Also fun is the sniper rifle which lets you shoot items and ammo to pick them up :-p

Using weapons to retrieve things is pretty cool and enjoyable, but a sniper rifle? That sounds maybe especially cool but also maybe overpowered, possibly really overpowered in some situations.

Is that an ability you can get on the hunter, or is there a particular rifle that does it?

It's particular to a specific gun.

Also fun is the sniper rifle which lets you shoot items and ammo to pick them up :-p

That sounds amazing and super useful.

If you aren't familiar, discipline decreases your grenade cooldown, and scavenger also reduces it when you pick up items or ammo. There's a piece of gear that decreases it even MORE when you land a melee. Literally a ten second turn around sometimes.

Also fun is the sniper rifle which lets you shoot items and ammo to pick them up :-p